• Have your butcher thinly slice the top round 1/16th of an inch or you can slice it thinly by hand using a sharp knife, cutting against the grain. Once sliced, cover and refrigerate. Using a leaner cut of beef allows for better patty adhesion, while the marinating process compensates for the lower fat percentage, ensuring moistness and flavor. • Next make the marinade/basting sauce. Combine the White Zinfandel, Worcestershire sauce, balsamic vinegar, tangerine zest, rosemary, garlic cloves, brown sugar, salt and black pepper in a food processor and process until smooth. Retain ½ cup for basting, cover and set aside. Gently mix the remaining majority of marinade in the sliced beef, cover and refrigerate. • Pre-heat the gas grill on medium high. • While the beef is marinating, prepare the Far East Bean Curd Salsa. Combine the tofu, cleaned celery, sesame oil, garlic, rice wine vinegar, salt and pepper in a food processor and process until a smooth consistency is achieved, cover and refrigerate. • Next form the patties. Take a handful of marinated sliced beef and gently form into 6 patties, place on a pan. • Once the grill is preheated, brush the grates with vegetable oil, gently place the patties on the grill grates, spoon some of the basting sauce on top of each patty. Grill for 3-5 minutes, turn just once, basting the other side and grill another 3-5 minutes or until done to your preference. • During the last minutes of grilling, place the pre-baked puff pastry squares on the outer grates of the grill, top the scaloppini patties with the Brie and allow the puff pastry to crisp while the Brie is melted. • Liberally apply some of the Far East Bean Curd Salsa on 6 of the puff pastry squares, followed by the scaloppini patty, top the patty with some more salsa, cover with puff pastry and serve. MAKES 6 BURGERS.

Comments

The concept of creating a "scaloppini type patty" instead of a compressed ground meat patty, came to me as I was trying to infuse texture to my burger as well as flavor. So in fact, this recipe which is inspired by the travels of Venetian Merchants, such as Marco Polo, is a true culinary journey to be discovered!